London Irish confirm the return of Josh Basham

London Irish have confirmed the signing of Josh Basham from Premiership side Newcastle Falcons.

Basham will join up with his teammates at Hazelwood in preparation of the 2022/23 season, returning to his boyhood Club once again after emerging from the London Irish Academy.

The talented back-row forward has spent three years on Tyneside studying at Durham University, having joined the Falcons from Irish towards the conclusion of the 2018/19 season and has since made 15 appearances across domestic and European competitions.

Basham achieved nine appearances for the Exiles before his departure to Kingston Park, making his debut in the Premiership, Anglo-Welsh Cup and Challenge Cup throughout the 2017/18 campaign.

The 23-year-old was capped at age-grade level for England, captaining the Under-18s and lining up for the Under-20s in the 2018 and 2019 Under 20 World Championships, reaching the final against France in the former.

London Irish Director of Rugby Declan Kidney is pleased to be welcoming the Irish Academy product back into the fold in west London.

“We are delighted to be welcoming Josh back to Hazelwood. He has picked up some brilliant experience under Dean Richards in Newcastle, and now we are excited to see him back in a London Irish shirt,” Kidney explained.

“Josh was a popular figure coming through the Academy here at London Irish, and I’m sure he will have a positive impact on the dressing room and offer good competition across the back row.”

Basham commented on his arrival ahead of the new season, stating that signing for Irish is an exciting prospect for him and the right step at this stage of his career.

“Moving back to London Irish felt like the right choice for me, and I can't wait to be back at Hazelwood to be amongst one of the most exciting squads the Club has had for some time.

“I can’t wait to get stuck back into training and see some familiar faces back in Sunbury.”